Justification:
The species is endemic to the crater Lake Brombi Mbo (7 km²). The species is currently major threat is from oil plantations and slash and burn agriculture leading to sedimentation and pollution in the lake (1 location). There are plans to commercial development the area for tourism. There is also a potential threat from the lake 'burping' - CO2 (as in Lake Nyos). In addition deforestation of the surroundings of the crater may cause more wind which could lead to the lake 'turning', as the lake is stratified, lower layer being very low in oxygen and high in organic matter. Higher winds may cause currents in the lake which could cause this lower layer to mix with the upper layer where the fish live. This would cause a massive decrease in oxygen in the water and kills the fish. Together with the water abstraction to supply the town of Kumba (which is likely to increase) and the plans to commercial development the area for tourism, this species is considered Critically Endangered.

The species is potentially threatened by crater lake 'burping' - CO2 gasses (pers. comm., Brummet, R.) as in Lake Nyos. There is evidence that the lake released some CO2 in 2007, as many deep water species were found dead on the surface in the middle of the lake, the water was also very turbid (pers. comm., Dening, C.). Deforestation, palm oil plantation and slash and burn agriculture are leading to pollution and sedimentation of the lake. Deforestation of the area surrounding the lake would lead to increased wind and therefore risk of turnover (it is a stratified lake, where the lower part is very low in oxygen and high in organic matter). This would destroy the top stratified layer where the fish live. Water abstraction is also present in the lake to supply the town of Kumba, which is likely to increase. This will also increase the likelihood of the two stratified layers mixing. There are also plans to commercial development the area for tourism. However, there are no introduced species in the lake, and commercial fishing is forbidden in the lake.